Yousuf bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro; addressing the opening of the two-day workshop, yesterday. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
DOHA: The top officials of international labour and human rights organisations yesterday lauded reforms introduced by Qatar to safeguard migrant workers rights and dignity.
“We have been witnessing a series of labour reforms aimed at ensuring decent working and living conditions for workers of all nationalities, making them proud of their work, leading to improved quality and increased productivity,” Houtan Homayounpour, Head of International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Project Office for the State of Qatar, said yesterday while addressing a workshop organised by Qatar Chamber at Sheraton Hotel.
“These labour reforms are creating a level playing field where every company will compete based on high standards, in terms of working and living conditions and also on recruitment practices,” Homayounpour said.
“It is no secret that the private sector plays an essential role in these reforms and their successful implementation.”
John Morrison, CEO, Institute for Human Rights and Business said that for the reforms to bear fruit, employers and companies should take strict measures, noting that it is the responsibility of all companies and employers to respect workers’ rights.
Morrison expressed his appreciation of the State of Qatar’s achievements in the field of protecting labor rights.
He added that the country has set a good example for promising practices regarding labor rights, calling for an expansion in these practices and for cooperation with friends who can help in that regard.
He also highlighted that the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy took notable steps in promoting the rights of the 30,000 workers in its sector, calling on other companies to intensify their efforts and take the necessary steps in resolving any violations they could find.
“The State of Qatar has made great achievements in the field of workers’ rights and in creating an appropriate working environment that protects the rights and dignity of workers,” said Second Deputy of Qatar Chamber Rashid bin Hamad Al Athba.
“The amendment of some laws in accordance with international standards and ethics is a real guarantee of the rights of expatriate workers and provides a safe and stimulating work environment for them,” Al Athba added.
The two-day workshop themed “Labour reforms in Qatar: challenges and opportunities” was attended by more than 300 participants on the first day. It is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs, International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB).
Yousuf bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs said that the State of Qatar had taken many steps in order to create a balanced and stable working environment for workers.
Yousuf bin Mohammed Al Othman Fakhro pointed out that the government has increased cooperation with employers to raise awareness of the implementation of the new legislation. He also praised the efforts of the employers’ representatives and their role in raising government’s programs, both at the level of legislation and procedures aimed at creating a business environment that encourages the business sector.
